Bill Murray: Age, Net Worth, Wife, Movies, and Latest News

Few actors have managed to stay as unpredictable and beloved as Bill Murray. At 74, with over 70 films and a net worth estimated at $180 million, he was still touring with his band and making surprise appearances in 2025. This article sorts out the confirmed facts from the persistent rumors about his life, his career, and his recent public moments.

Age: 74 · Net worth: $180 million · Height: 6 ft 0 in · Number of films: 70+ · Children: 6

Eight biographical facts, one snapshot: the man born William James Murray has been working non‑stop since the 1970s, and the numbers tell a steady story.

The pattern: a long, stable career in the public eye, but with large gaps where Murray keeps his personal life hidden.

What happened to Bill Murray recently?

Recent public appearances and projects

• January 26, 2025 – At the Sundance Film Festival, Murray gave a rare personal interview, telling People magazine he sometimes “seeks penance” through the characters he plays.
• February 17, 2025 – He appeared at the SNL 50 anniversary celebration, covered by CBS News.
• Early 2025 – Murray launched a concert tour with “Bill Murray and His Blood Brothers,” playing Chicago on January 3‑4 and scheduled for an April 10 show at the State Theatre in Minneapolis (Best Classic Bands; Hennepin Arts).
• 2024 – He starred in Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire and voiced a character on The Simpsons (Rotten Tomatoes).

Health updates

Murray has not publicly disclosed any serious health issues. At 74, he remains physically active enough for a concert tour and film appearances. The Sundance interview is the most recent public statement about his personal well‑being (People).

The implication: Murray continues to engage with fans through film and music, maintaining a robust public presence.

What are Bill Murray’s facial scars from?

Origin of the scar

Bill Murray has a visible scar on his upper lip, but its origin is not officially documented. It is commonly attributed to a childhood accident, though Murray himself has never confirmed this in a major interview (Biography.com).

Other physical features

Murray stands 6 ft 0 in and has kept his lean frame throughout his career. The scar remains the most talked‑about physical detail, even as no definitive source has provided its exact cause (BBC Culture).

The pattern: The mystery of the scar adds to Murray’s enigmatic persona, but lacks confirmation.

What happened to Bill Murray’s wife?

Marriage to Margaret Kelly

Murray married costume designer Margaret Kelly in 1981. They had six children together, but the marriage ended in divorce in 1996 (Britannica).

Divorce and subsequent relationships

After the divorce, Murray entered a relationship with Jennifer Butler, with whom he had four children. That relationship also ended. Murray rarely discusses his private life, and no current partner is publicly confirmed (The New York Times).

Children

Murray has six children total. Their names are known from public records, but he shields them from the media. His eldest son, Homer Murray, has occasionally appeared at public events with him (BBC Culture).

The pattern: Murray’s family life remains largely private, with only occasional public appearances by his children.

What are Bill Murray’s best movies?

Early classics

• Breakout on Saturday Night Live (1975‑1980) (Kennedy Center)
• Meatballs (1979) – his first major film lead
• Caddyshack (1980) – cult comedy
• Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986) – portrayed Principal Ed Rooney (Ferris Bueller’s Day Off: Quotes and Parental Guide)

1980s and 1990s hits

• Ghostbusters (1984) – $296 million worldwide box office (Box Office Mojo)
• Groundhog Day (1993) – now considered a classic (Rotten Tomatoes)

Later acclaimed roles

• Lost in Translation (2003) – earned him an Academy Award nomination (Golden Globes)
• The Royal Tenenbaums (2001)
• St. Vincent (2014) – Golden Globe nomination (Golden Globes)

His filmography spans over 70 movies, ranging from blockbusters to art‑house dramas. The pattern: Murray picks roles that let him play the cynical outsider with a soft center.

What did Scarlett Johansson say about Bill Murray?

Their on‑screen romance in Lost in Translation

Scarlett Johansson played Charlotte opposite Murray’s Bob Harris in Sofia Coppola’s 2003 film. She was 17 during filming; he was 52 (Wikipedia).

Johansson’s comments about the kiss

Johansson has praised Murray’s comedic timing and professionalism. Regarding the film’s final kiss, she called it a meaningful scene. In 2025, a Yahoo News article cited on Murray’s Wikipedia page carried the headline: “Scarlett Johansson Says ‘Life Has Humbled’ Bill Murray After Misconduct Allegations and COVID‑19” (Wikipedia, referencing Yahoo News). The remark appears to be from a recent interview, though the exact quotation has not been widely replicated by other major outlets.

What this means: The Johansson-Murray dynamic reflects changing societal views on age gaps in Hollywood.

Timeline

• September 21, 1950 – Born in Wilmette, Illinois (Wikipedia)
• 1975 – Joined Saturday Night Live (Kennedy Center)
• 1981 – Married Margaret Kelly (Britannica)
• 1984 – Starred in Ghostbusters (Box Office Mojo)
• 1993 – Starred in Groundhog Day (Rotten Tomatoes)
• 1996 – Divorced Margaret Kelly (Britannica)
• 2003 – Starred in Lost in Translation (Golden Globes)
• 2014 – Golden Globe nomination for St. Vincent (Golden Globes)
• 2016 – Received Mark Twain Prize for American Humor (Wikipedia)
• 2021 – Appeared in Ghostbusters: Afterlife (Rotten Tomatoes)
• 2024 – Appeared in Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (Rotten Tomatoes)

The timeline shows a career that has spanned five decades, with notable highs in the 80s, 90s, and 2000s.

Quotes

“I’ve done some damage, and I’ve tried to repair some damage. I think the characters I play sometimes let me seek penance.”

Bill Murray, People magazine, January 26, 2025 (People)

“Life has humbled Bill Murray after misconduct allegations and COVID‑19.”

Headline from Yahoo News, cited by Wikipedia (Wikipedia)

The implication: Murray is aware of his public missteps and uses his craft to process them. Johansson’s reported comment suggests the industry’s view of him has shifted.

Frequently asked questions

For the fan who wants to separate fact from folklore, the takeaway is clear: Murray is still active, still private, and still willing to surprise. His next film role may come without warning, but his band tour dates are set.

For a similar profile, see Anthony Hopkins: Health, Family, Relationships, and Career.